Cyclist plans 1,000km trip across India to help school

A FORMER Leftwich man is in training to cycle more than 1,000km across the width of India.

James Clarke, who went to the County High School Leftwich and Sir John Deane’s College, is one of a team of nine hoping to raise £25,000 to extend a school for orphans and street children.

James, the minister at Disley Baptist Church, is taking on the challenge in November on behalf of Life Association, a Christian charity that has been working in India building children’s homes and schools for more than 20 years.

His cycle will start in Mumbai, on the west coast of India, and will end 10 days later at the charity’s largest orphanage in Gannavaram, on the east coast of the country.

The team hopes their challenge will fund a second floor at the school at the orphanage, allowing it to provide education, food and healthcare to 125 extra children.

James said, “I’m excited to be taking part in this challenge.

“Cycling across India seems a bit crazy and terrifying, but to be able to make a real difference to the futures of these children and the community around them is incredible.”